FARM COMPETITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 63, 26 December 1935, Page 7

FARM COMPETITION

WINNING HOLDING INSPECTED. MR J. STEWART CONGRATULATED At the invitation of Mr J. Stewart, whose farm, “Rosebank,” at Rakaia, was placed first in. the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association s farm competition, about 60 people took part in a field day on Tuesday, the °* J " ,ject being the inspection of the farm, "which comprises 414 acres that rival anything in the County. Twitch and Californian thistle do not exist on the farm, a. result of persistent treatment with the ploughing and cropping over a period of years. Those present included Mr G. H. B. Li 11 (president of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association), Mr W. H. Woods (Mayor of Ashburton), Mr H. C. R. Withell (representing the Ashburton County Council), Mr R. Oakley (president of the Mid-Canter-bury provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union), Mr J. Montgomery (Christchurch) and Mr G, F. Wright (Christchurch, one of the judges of the competition). Mr Lill extended congratulations to Mr Stewart and said the keenness of the competition was apparent by the fact that there were only three or four points between the farms which won a place. Mr Stewart’s place was an object lesson in thrift and hard work. The soil had responded to good tillage, but it was obvious that Mr Stewart had put a great deal of hard work into his farm. The association was indebted to Mr Montgomery for his suggestion that the competition should be held at Ashburton, and also for his generous contribution toward the prizes. The members could see many difficulties at first, but at that time they could not see the educational value which had resulted. Locai! Body'Commendation. Mr Withell said that the farm showed careful management and contained splendid crops, which promised good returns. The farms of • Messrs R. J. Low (Highbank) and L. O. Oakley (Hatfield), which were placed second and third respectively, were in excellent order. It was a coincidence that the three farms were close to the bank of the Rakaia River. He thanked Mr Montgomery for his thoughtfulness in instituting the competition, saying that the idea of looking for the best in everything was a good one. “I am pleased to see that an old resident of the Ashburton district has won the competition,” said Mr Woods. He said he hoped that the success of the competition would be a stimulus to others to emulate the example of Mr Stewart. It was pleasing that the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association had been encouraged by Mr Montgomery to start the competition, which must be to the advantage of not only the farmers hut also the whole district. Cheers were given for Mr Montgomery, who said he took the idea from Leeston and Southbridge districts, which had conducted a competition, and he thought that Ashburton should have one too. Without the hearty co-operation of the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the competition could not have been held. Following the judging of the farms was a very interesting experience. One farmer had admitted that entering in the competition had caused him to clean up his place and give attention to parts of his farm which should have received that attention many years ago. “A certain amount of rivalry between fanners is good for the whole district,” said Mr Montgomery. “The competition had for its object the encouragement to make better farms, more production, and to provide better farm life,” he added.Praise for* the Gardens. He said that he was impressed with the delightful gardens which surrounded some cf the homesteads, and the interest of the womenfolk in this direction was very apparent. Points had been allocated for tidy gardens, and were deserved. Mr Montgomery said that stud sheep were not taken into account in the allocation of points for stock. One farmer with a few pigs and cows kept in excellent condition had received nearly the maximum points. He hoped that the competition would be continued next year, and he urged fanners to begin soon to prepare their farms for next year’s competition. Mr Wright said that in all his experience he had never seen better wheat crops than those in the Wakanui, Lagmhor and Highbank districts. He was surprised to see such crops, many of which were on farms which were net entered in the competition. He traced the headings under which points were allocated, saying that the placed farms were not found until the last day of judging. The judges found that the unimproved value as a basis was not much to work from. In some instances land differed from £5 to £lO an acre in value. Perhaps there was just a boundary fence between them and they were growing crops of equal merit. Recommendations had been made for next year’s competition. Mr Lill announced that he understood that there was the likelihood of a challenge cup being offered for next year’s competition. Mr Leicester Matson • (Christchurch) referred to his experiences of early farming conditions in the Ashburton County. Mr A. P. Bruce (Pendarves) thaflked Mr and Mrs Stewart for the hospitable manner in w'hich they had entertained their guests during the afternoon. * * Mr Stewart said he was very proud to have worn the competition. He said the trouble with a great deal of the pastures on farms was that the land was consistently cropped and had never been given a chance to recover. Good pastures could not be expected under those conditions. “A farmer is never finished his work as long as he has the ambition to keep improving his farm,” he added.